Academic Overview

List of 11 items.

• Math

  Tower Hill's Mathematics Department is committed to providing a rigorous college-preparatory program. The core courses offered by the department cover the major concepts and applications of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, functional analysis and statistical analysis, as well as the underpinnings of calculus.  
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  As part of the curriculum, students are expected to develop the ability to reason and communicate mathematically, to gain confidence in dealing with various problem situations and to appreciate the value of a strong mathematical foundation for life in the 21st century. Though content mastery is an important component of the program, the development of each student’s analytical and problem solving capabilities is of equal importance. The study of mathematics is more than simply memorizing how to do something or practicing a particular skill. It also includes developing the ability in students to analyze concepts, to recognize when and how they are applied, and to understand the theoretical foundations of those concepts. Creating depth in the conceptual understanding of students and improving their mathematical reasoning and abstract thinking capabilities takes time, and the department’s courses allow for and encourage the growth to occur. Consequently, each student moves through the curriculum at a pace that is suitably challenging, yet, just as importantly, developmentally appropriate.   

• Science

  Scientific thinking inspires a life-long pursuit of curiosity and inquiry. As global citizens, teachers connect science to the world. To develop scientific literacy, students solve problems and explore their knowledge through historical contexts, current issues and future implications.
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  In our science classrooms, students build models, analyze patterns and similarities, and apply their discoveries to new problems. Students think in creative and interdisciplinary ways. The Science Department guides students to be active and articulate learners through effective traditional methods, emerging technologies, meaningful laboratory experiences, discovery-based activities and research opportunities. As scientific knowledge is dynamic and interdisciplinary in nature, so too is our curriculum.
  
  

  We believe in:

  • Robust, well-rounded and interdisciplinary science education
  • Rigorous and individualized approach to learning
  • Hands-on laboratory investigations
  • Attention to and integration of current and emerging technologies
  • Training students to be critical thinkers in a rapidly changing world

• STEM

  STEM education focuses on the intersection and integration of four main areas: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. At Tower Hill, STEM study is not confined to one classroom or discipline; rather, STEM is weaved through the curriculum of all three divisions. Students learn to make connections between different disciplines and work hands-on in labs and classrooms to explore, test and develop new ideas about the world. Tower Hill values student-centered learning and empowers teachers to use their unique skills in the classroom to go beyond the textbook and traditional curriculum.
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  Why focus on STEM education?
  We face a global climate crisis, but have also opened the door to unprecedented space exploration; we must grapple with new infectious disease, but also see the potential for cures for cancer and HIV; technology and privacy have never been more at odds, yet we are on the precipice of a quantum computing breakthrough. The “we” in all of these situations will be led not by me, or by you, but by our children; the next generation will be exposed to innovation and explorations we can only imagine, because it will be theirs to make a reality.
  
  What do we believe?
  THS STEM believes:
  

  • All students should be exposed to STEM study starting at an early age.
  • Every student has the ability to be a successful STEM learner.
  • There is art in science and math and there is order in art; artistic expression is a natural consequence of the study STEM fields and should be celebrated and incorporated wherever possible.
  • STEM education should be student-centered, hands-on and based in best practices of child development and education theories
  • Design pedagogy: Focuses on continual improvement of instruction and delivery, encouraging both teachers and students to think as designers.
  • Integration: STEM study should not remain in silos, either from the teaching or learning perspective. Critical thinking and analytical skills used to solve problems should require integration of skills from many different content areas.  
  • Authentic Task Performance: Hands-on activities should have roots in real-world problems with meaningful, immediate and actionable outcomes.
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Equal access to quality STEM education is paramount. It must be attentive to the cultural and social diversity present in leaders of the field. Students should be encouraged to study STEM leaders from diverse backgrounds, races, genders and sexual orientations.

  
  Visit Tower Hill's STEM page
  
  

• English

  The Tower Hill English Department strives to engender a capacity for reason within every student; emphases include recognition of sound logic, comprehension of complex argument and communication about a diverse world. The department’s longstanding values establish that a community of cooperative learners, in heterogeneous and diverse groups, develops most functionally, cultivating compassionate leadership within and among all.
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  Through reading, analyzing and writing about humanity’s most significant stories, we practice our skills at building a better world, beginning locally inside our very own classrooms. Within the Tower Hill English and reading curricula, students and teachers work together to travel the timeline of humanity’s translation of ideas into argument and story, encountering myriad genres, styles, aesthetics, voices and themes; the ultimate goal of reading and writing is passionate cultivation of humane curiosity and empathetic perspective—evidence of literature’s loftiest designs.

• History

  Students develop the critical thinking skills that make up the historian’s craft. Students analyze and engage with a variety of diverse perspectives and to develop a nuanced understanding of the forces that shape our contemporary world. The rigorous and well-rounded history curriculum prepares students for global citizenship in the 21st century.
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  Students are exposed to a wide variety of geographic regions and time periods throughout their time at Tower Hill with the youngest students learning about their local communities and our oldest participating in elective courses, allowing them to explore particular interests in history. Students in each division are exposed to local and global histories, allowing them to be citizens of both Wilmington and the world. Through historical writing, research and discussion our older students demonstrate knowledge of contextualization, continuity and change over time, and periodization. While engaging with historical sources, students are asked to identify point of view, synthesize primary and secondary materials, and utilize evidence to craft effective written and oral arguments.

• Language

  The Language Department encourages the development of an inquisitive and critical mind as well as creativity in one or more languages. Our mission is to inspire cultural curiosity through a global lens that will lead to a better understanding of the nuances and ideologies that come with each language.
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  Our approach for modern language instruction is communicative: we encourage students to convey their thoughts, wants, needs and reactions in target languages. We strive to promote further study of non-English speaking cultures, including an appreciation for multiple languages, cultural elements, literatures, the arts and history. With an understanding that the world is ever-changing, each element of our curriculum is infused with cultural competency skills. It is these types of skills that will facilitate and promote discussions that find commonalities among people from around the world.

• Music

  The Tower Hill Music Department sees its mission as an integral part of a well-rounded, school-wide curriculum. We continue the tradition of presenting a diversity of culture and beliefs in the curriculum that encourages students to respect the heritage and beliefs of others as well as their own.
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  Why Music? The concepts help to prepare students to be well adjusted members of society. Music is Science. Music is Mathematics. Music is a Language. Music is History. Music is Physical Education. Music develops insight and demands research. Music is emotional. We provide our students with the means to transform their life experiences symbolically, a basic human need, and we help them to gain aesthetic sensitivity, the source of man's highest satisfaction in life. "Without music, life would be a mistake." -Friedrich Nietzsche

• Theater

  The mission of Tower Hill School’s Theater Department is to develop life skills through theater. Our K-12 students are exposed to a variety of performance intensives and opportunities that promote self-awareness and self-confidence, and develop time management and communication skills.
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  This is accomplished both in the classroom and through additional after school programs. From studies in Shakespeare to cultural dance, from advanced lighting design to special effects makeup, from action-based acting technique to improvisation, our students are encouraged to see the craft of theater as holistic, and to understand that collaboration across the discipline creates a more prepared artist and ultimately a more prepared global citizen.

• Visual Art and Design

  The mission of the Tower Hill’s Visual Arts Department is centered on developing our students’ confidence in their creativity and ability to learn new concepts and techniques. We focus on critical thinking, visual language, productive skills, aesthetic process and affective motivation.
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  Critical thinking involves thinking clearly and rationally; processing multiple viewpoints, while developing ethical thought and applying principles to real-life situations. Visual language provides a resource of concepts, terms and theory, as well as familiarity with the art world; inclusive of diverse artists and contexts, both historical and contemporary. Productive skill is an understanding of a variety of mediums and techniques, with an emphasis on craftsmanship and quality. Aesthetic process involves perception, the development of ideas and the making of judgments essential to the effective organization of visual elements. Affective motivation is a critical element in intellectual curiosity and creative behavior. Self-awareness and self-acceptance, openness to experience and willingness to take risks foster growth and expression in the arts.

• Library and Research

  The Neela Patel Center for Innovation, otherwise known as THE Hub, supports students to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers and ethical users of information. Collaboration with the learning community through age-appropriate information literacy instruction encourages our students to be lifelong users and creators of information. This collaboration is supported by a diverse collection of print and online resources for research, personal growth and enjoyment of reading. THE Hub also houses the Teaching and Learning Center. (TLC)
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  Individual and group study areas in the library encourage collaboration, creativity and research. The Middle School and Upper School Library collection includes print resources of magazines, newspapers and over 10,000 books. Over 50 databases through UDLib/search, individual subscriptions, including JSTOR, ProQuest and NYTimes online, as well as ebooks can be accessed on campus and at home. 

• The Teaching and Learning Center

  Growth is the central tenet of the mission of the Teaching and Learning Center at Tower Hill School. Established in 2016, the Center is a resource for students and teachers who wish to maximize learning processes, address specific academic challenges, engage in best practices, seek support for learning differences or challenge themselves to achieve new levels of excellence.
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  The Center is a process-oriented nucleus of the school that fosters dialogue, innovation, flexibility and excellence in individualized teaching and learning in the 21st century. Existing to uphold the mission and philosophy of the school in all circumstances, the Center is in a position to recommend reasonable accommodations for students with documented needs but cannot support requests to modify curricula. Our Teaching and Learning Specialists endeavor to equip students and teachers with tools, strategies and opportunities to learn about learning so that they may build repertoires, excel and nurture the mindsets needed for continuing education.